35th Battalion (New Zealand)

The 35th Battalion was a proposed, but ultimately never formed, infantry battalion of the New Zealand Military Forces during World War II. It was intended to be raised as part of the planned 3rd Division reinforcement, the 14th Brigade, for service in the Pacific theatre.

The need for extensive reinforcements diminished as the war progressed, particularly following the heavy casualties suffered during the Bougainville campaign and a growing manpower crisis within New Zealand. This led to a reduction in the size of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force (NZEF) in the Pacific.

Consequently, the decision was made to disband the 14th Brigade, and the 35th Battalion was never activated or deployed. The manpower allocated for its formation was instead directed towards reinforcing existing units of the 3rd Division and supporting essential industries within New Zealand. The battalion exists largely as a historical note, representing a unit planned but ultimately unfulfilled.